Conan O'Brien channels his inner 'Larry Bird' against Magic Johnson

Indiana Pacers coach Larry Bird right jokes with Magic Johnson before the taping of a segment in Indianapolis Monday Feb. 22 1999 on the 20th anniversary of the 1979 NCAA national championship game that featured Bird and Johnson. The game between Michigan State and Indiana State still has the highest television rating of an NCAA championship game and was won by Johnson and Michigan State. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)(Photo: MICHAEL CONROY, Associated Press)

Conan O'Brien is tall and he grew up in Boston during the Larry Bird/Magic Johnson era. However, he is no Larry Bird.

That became abundantly clear when the late-night host took on Lakers legend Magic Johnson for a game horse. O'Brien tried to get into Johnson's head early on but to no avail. Johnson got out to an early lead so O'Brien pulled out his secret weapon; a Larry Bird mask.

Unfortunately for O'Brien, the mask did not give him Bird's skillset. Johnson went on to win the game easily and closed out the segment by wearing the Bird mask.

"Man, this is the first time I'm wearing a white face here," said Johnson. "I got Larry bird's face on as a black man. Wow."